World War II Honoree

Jerome S. Friedman

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Baltimore, Maryland

Honored By

Daniel S. Friedman

Relationship

Grandson

DRAFTED INTO THE ARMY PRIOR TO THE U.S. DECLARATION OF WAR, AS TECHNICIAN 5TH GRADE, HE WAS A MEMBER OF HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 133RD INFANTRY REGIMENT, 34TH INFANTRY DIVISION. THE 34TH INFANTRY DIVISION WAS THE FIRST TO SAIL OVERSEAS, LANDING IN NORTHERN IRELAND. THERE, THE FIRST U.S. RANGER BATTALION WAS FORMED FROM 34TH DIVISION VOLUNTEERS. WHILE LANDING IN NORTH AFRICA, THE SHIP HE WAS ON WAS RAMMED BY ANOTHER ALLIED VESSEL. IN NORTH AFRICA THE 34TH DIVISION BECAME THE FIRST TO FIGHT IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER AND BY THE END OF THE WAR HAD SPENT MORE ACTUAL DAYS IN COMBAT THAN ANY OTHER U.S. ARMY DIVISION. THIS DIVISION SUFFERED AMONG THE HIGHEST BATTLE CASUALTIES IN THE WAR (21,362). FOUGHT IN NORTH AFRICA IN KEF EL AMAR PASS, FONDOUK PASS, KASSERINE PASS, HILL 609, EDDEKHILA-CHOUIGUI PASS. LANDED IN SICILY, BAY OF SALERNO AND FOUGHT IN BATTLES OF BENEVENTO, VOLTURNO RIVER, BATTLE FOR CASSINO (50% CASUALTIES), ANZIO AND ARNO RIVER. THE 34TH DIVISION WAS THE FIRST TO REACH ROME. HE RECEIVED 3 COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGES, PURPLE HEART, BRONZE STAR, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN MEDAL WITH THREE BATTLE STARS, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, DOVER DISTRICT COUNCIL OF BRITAIN, 2 CONSUL GENERAL OF FRANCE CITATIONS.